How to Install Speaker Wire Behind Crown Molding

By Robert Robillard on How To

 

Hiding Speaker Wire Behind Crown Molding

A client of mine asked for me to install crown molding in his living room.

We always buy the moldings we install at Anderson McQuiad, a local mill shop.  All the moldings are made on site and always have very sharp, detailed profiles.  This particular molding is made from poplar species.

This morning, when we arrived to install the molding, the client told us that he wanted to install a surround sound speaker system.

He asked us if we would be willing to run speaker behind our moldings and then let the four wires run down the corner of the wall.

Fishing Wires In The Wall

We agreed but told him that instead of leaving the wires visible we would hide the wires in the walls stud bay leaving him with a better looking, finished product.


Installing Speaker Wire

Speaker wire was installed in all four corners of this room. The wire was stapled 1-1/4″ inch down from the ceiling in order to allow for a 16 penny finish nail to be driven at a 45 degree angle through the molding and into the wall top plate.

We use 16 penny nails verse pneumatic driven nail because they tend to “suck” the molding tight against the wall and ceiling leaving less of a seam to caulk and a better installed molding.

A hole was made in the top of the wall just under the top plate. The molding covers this hole so no patching was needed.

Hiding The Wires In Stud Bay

A second hole was made in the same stud bay down at the floor level. The wires were routed through this hole and will run into a t.v. stereo receiver.

I did not have my electrical “wire fish-tape” with me so we used a coat hanger to “fish” the wires out of the stud bay.

This photo shows a sample of the molding and how it corresponds with the speaker wire.

Notches were made in order to allow the speaker wire to run the perimeter of the room.

The client specified that he wanted to mount his speakers just under the molding.

Coping The Crown

We notched the bottom of the crown molding 3″ inches out from each corner for his speakers.

Speaker wire shown after crown molding installed.

 


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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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